Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Carjackers make big mistake jumping this Lone Grove man - 83 YO breaks would-be carjackers arm
Ardmoreite.com ^ | December 10, 2003 | By Wilbert Wiggs

Posted on 12/10/2003 2:11:39 PM PST by MeekOneGOP

Story last updated at 8:52 a.m. Wednesday, December 10, 2003

Carjackers make big mistake jumping this Lone Grove man
By Wilbert Wiggs
Staff Writer

photo: local

  Ratliff  
And the moral of this story is: Don't be fooled by a relaxing "old" man kicked back with his boots off. Especially if that "old" man happens to be Pat Ratliff of Lone Grove.

That's the first mistake a Dallas carjacking team made a few days ago while scouting a parking lot for an easy mark. At 83, Ratliff can strike one as an easy mark.

That was the second mistake, as they spotted Ratliff waiting for his wife and grandson to return from a nearby store.

A red-headed woman and gun-toting male companion had the element of surprise on their side. That advantage didn't account for Pat's cool approach to just about any situation and his reputation as "the man who tears quarters with his bare fingers."

"They shouldn't have done that," Ratliff remarked about the totally unexpected attack.

Ratliff was only momentarily surprised when the woman appeared by the driver's door and began hitting him with her purse for no apparent reason. The reason became clear moments later when a man stuck a gun inside from the opposite side.

Being the alert type and an individual who's "been through a lot of stuff," Ratliff immediately began looking for an opportunity. He was ready when the man glanced away.

"I grabbed his arm and broke it over the door," Ratliff said of his response, speaking literally. "The bone was sticking from his arm. I was trying to teach him a lesson."

Disarmed and with a broken arm, the man fled. Security personnel at the store suspect the carjackers have pulled previous capers. Police were able to apprehend the pair, but Ratliff advised them he doesn't want to return to Dallas for a court appearance.

Ratliff is almost apologetic when he says he's not as stout as he once was.

Be that as it may, you're not going to convince a cool (much younger) dude from Dallas who "fled like a 'possum" after his personal encounter with the 83-year-old man from Lone Grove.

"They shouldn't do that," Ratliff repeated.

Wilbert Wiggs, 221-6526 or wilbert.wiggs@ardmoreite.com.



TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; News/Current Events; US: Oklahoma; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: ardmore; attack; carjacking; dallas; oklahoma; texas; usetheforce
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 121-135 next last
To: international american
I went through the red light, got behind them an did an ID on their plates.

Nice thinking and welcome to your home....

61 posted on 12/10/2003 4:08:42 PM PST by Hot Tabasco (I've dealt with stupid people for over 32 years. Haven't I earned the right to just shoot them?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: MeeknMing
Police were able to apprehend the pair, but Ratliff advised them he doesn't want to return to Dallas for a court appearance.

I don't blame you Mr. Ratliff. Stay out of big cities, life is too short.

62 posted on 12/10/2003 4:10:22 PM PST by Joe Hadenuf (I failed anger management class, they decided to give me a passing grade anyway)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MeeknMing
LOL. I really like this guy.
63 posted on 12/10/2003 4:10:52 PM PST by Dubya (Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,but by me)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: international american
Very thankful you're safe and able to take control of the situation, getting those thugs pulled off the street. Glad you're acquainted with Julia, I'm quite close to "Reagan." A friend of mine recently helped foil theft of another friend's car. The car owner had a gun and shot one of the suspects, he was later told by the policeman he should have killed her.
64 posted on 12/10/2003 4:11:02 PM PST by Donaeus (HYDRA-SHOK, it does the body good. . .Just ask a Neanderthal.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: snopercod; joanie-f; TPartyType; RJayneJ
This guy should be "Man of the Year" on the cover of every news publication; or better, "Man of the Year" at Free Republic.

Perhaps he'd like to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the U.S. Supreme Court?

65 posted on 12/10/2003 4:14:21 PM PST by First_Salute
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MeeknMing
""I grabbed his arm and broke it over the door," Ratliff said of his response,
speaking literally. "The bone was sticking from his arm. I was trying to teach him a lesson."

I hope it hurts. I hope it hurts real bad for a long time.

66 posted on 12/10/2003 4:15:30 PM PST by StormEye
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lormand
I have 5 buddies who stat with me all the time in case of trouble thanks to Governor GW Bush.

I know those guys and some of them hang around with me too. In my case however there are 8 of them and 8 more of their friends reside in a backup under the seat of the car.

67 posted on 12/10/2003 4:18:14 PM PST by HoustonCurmudgeon (PEACE - Through Superior Firepower)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: MeeknMing
I am inspired by this proper use of leverage toward the security of this man's freedom.

Precision, power and quickness (Diligentia Vis Celeritas) elegantly displayed in both the "empty hand" and "weapons at hand" practical combat categories.
68 posted on 12/10/2003 4:18:56 PM PST by Unknowing (Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Prodigal Son
One word. Theismann. I get chills to this day....
69 posted on 12/10/2003 4:26:04 PM PST by stands2reason (What good does it do you to "win" a debate in an insane asylum?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: MeeknMing
What a great story ! Pinging Texans. This man is from Oklahoma.
Wish I had an Oklahoma ping list.

I posted a link for ya' on the OK profile forum....

-archy-/-

70 posted on 12/10/2003 4:28:22 PM PST by archy (Angiloj! Mia kusenveturilo estas plena da angiloj!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: HoustonCurmudgeon
"In my case however there are 8 of them and 8 more of their friends reside in a backup under the seat of the car."

Yeah, but I bet my friends will always jump to my help, guaranteed, while you must hope that your friends will not get stuck in the "door" on the way out. :)

71 posted on 12/10/2003 4:29:14 PM PST by lormand (Dead People Vote DemocRAT)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: lormand
Saddly, we may one day here a "Bernard Getz" like story coming from someone in CommieFornia who was just doing what they had to do to survive.

We had one from Ohio about a year back. One of the *Bang_list regulars.

-archy-/-

72 posted on 12/10/2003 4:30:12 PM PST by archy (Angiloj! Mia kusenveturilo estas plena da angiloj!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: ChemistCat
You know,I might joke with the Texans(I do it the other way when I live in Texas)but truly,they really are fine friends and neighbors. :)

Maybe we should invite a Texan up here to educate one of "our" problem learners.We could maybe even swap back and forth on a regular basis,make this a weekly event. :O)

73 posted on 12/10/2003 4:30:44 PM PST by Free Trapper (One with courage is often a majority)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
It could be that our hero has developed difficulties with his vision in his older years.
He apparently reads the Second Amendment to guarantee the right to keep and break arms. (which is still a better reading than we'll ever get from a court)
74 posted on 12/10/2003 4:37:20 PM PST by Mr. Lucky
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: Hot Tabasco
"Nice thinking and welcome to your home...."
Thank you, and God bless(the armed)...


75 posted on 12/10/2003 4:37:42 PM PST by international american
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: Donaeus
Julia is my wifes name, and you can best believe she can handle a weapon, also judo.
76 posted on 12/10/2003 4:40:50 PM PST by international american
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: international american
I went through the red light, got behind them an did an ID on their plates.

Well done!!

77 posted on 12/10/2003 4:40:53 PM PST by Colorado Doug
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: archy
Thank you, sir ! Great idea !

78 posted on 12/10/2003 4:49:10 PM PST by MeekOneGOP (Hillary is a TRAITOR !!: http://Richard.Meek.home.comcast.net/HitlerTraitor6.JPG)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies]

To: First_Salute
I wonder what international law says about what Ratliff did.
79 posted on 12/10/2003 4:50:48 PM PST by snopercod (The federal government will spend $21,000 per household in 2003, up from $16,000 in 1999.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: Colorado Doug
You know, the ironic thing is, that I was due to fly to Asia on the day this happened. But I found out a very close friend of mine was undergoing an operation that might cost him his sight. So I stayed, and this is what happened. The wonderful thing is his eyesight remains intact. So strike 1 for the scumbags, one win for America!
My prayer request is on file here.
Best regards, IA
80 posted on 12/10/2003 4:52:42 PM PST by international american
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 77 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 121-135 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson